Electric regulation



J. L. CREVELING. EL ECTRIC REGULATION.

, APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1915- RENEWED APR. 17,1922- I 1,437,724.Patented Dec. 5, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOI? J. L. CREVELING.

ELECTRIC REGULATION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1916. RENEWED APR. 17.1922.

1 ,437,724, Patented Dec. 5, 1922- 3 SHEE TS-SHLE1 2- J. L. CREVELING.

ELECTRIC REGULATION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2. 1916. RENEWED APR. 17, 1922.

1,437,724 Patented Dec. 5, 1922 3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3 INVENTOI? Patented Dec.5, 1922.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

7 JOHN L. CREVELING, OF WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GOULDCOUPLER COMPANY, A CORPORATION 01 NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC REGULATION.

Application filed May 2, 1916, Serial No. 94,969. Renewed April 17,1922. Serial No. 558,919.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN L. CREVELING, acitizen of the United States, residing in White Plains, county of'l/Vestchester, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Electric Regulation, of which the following is adescri tion.

it y invention pertains to that class of electric regulation wherein itis desired to regulate an electric system or circuit thereof in apredetermined manner and has for a particular object to provideautomatic means for so doing. As my invention is particularly applicableto systems of electrical dis tribution whereln a dynamo or generatordriven at variable speeds is used to charge a storage battery andmaintain lamps or other translating devices, it will be described withparticular reference to such a system, which is selected for the purposeof showin one embodiment of my invention merely. s my invention isparticularly useful in such a system wherein it is desired to limit thecurrent in a circuit from exceeding a predetermined value throughout thespeed changes of. the generator, and wherein it is desirablealso toprevent the voltage across a circuit from exceeding a predeterminedmaximum, as in modern systems of railwa carlighting by an axle-drivenenerator, 1t will be described particularly with reference to this typeof such system.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation and partial sec-' tion' of one of theregulating unitsof my invention.

Fig. 2 is atop plan and partial section of a portion of the regulatorshown in Fig. 1 taken on the line AA, the parts above said line beingremoved for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation and partial section of a modified form ofregulator similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial section of the structure of Fig. 3 taken on the lineB-B.

Fig. 5 is a top plan and partial section of a portion of the deviceshown in Figs. 3 and 4.

are to be employed or across which they are to operate. 1th this inview, for limiting a generator current from exceeding a predeterminedvalue, I employ one regulator usually provided with a coarse serieswindin responsive to current fluctuations; an

where the voltage is to be held also from exceeding a predeterminedvalue, I use a simllar regulator with the exception that it is usuallywound with a fine winding in shunt across the circuit where the voltageis desired to be held within the predetermined limits. I usually find itpreferable to place the regulating elements of these regulators inseries and to provide means whereby if the regulating elements alwayshave an apprey supporting member carrying all of the members necessaryto. make up one complete regulating device or unit, which'may be ut inoperative position or removed bo when desired. The same may be held inproper position, as for example, by suitable lugs indicated at 52. Theframe 1 is preferably of iron or other magnetic material and providedwith upwardly projecting members 2 and 3, cast integrally therewith andcarrying insulated rods 4, which support the regulating element orcarbon pile 5 in a well-known manner. One end of the pile has itsposition adjustably fixed as by means of the disc or. flange 6, carriedby the screw 7, threaded into the member 3. The other end of the pilehas pressure applied thereupon by the flange 8, carried by the lever 9,PIVOtGd as at 10 to a fixed support upon the member 2 and having itsopposite, and preferably longer, extremity pivotaily connected as at 11with the member 12. which with its pivotal connection 13 and member 14forms a toggle-joint. one extremity of which is pivotally held as byscrew 15. The compresthem in stock,

sion spring 16. adjustable as by screw 17, tends to straighten thetoggle-joint and increase the pressure upon the pile 5. so as todecrease the electrical resistance thereof in a well-known manner. 13 isa small roller or sheave carried by the pin 13. which is en gaged by thestub or post 19 when the same is raised sutliciently, the said postbeing made preferably of non-magnetic material and attached to the core20 of iron or other magnetic material. surrounded by the actuatingwinding or solenoid 21, which may be wound upon a spool and readily heldin- .to the winding 21, and until the coil 21 is sufficiently excitedthe outer extremity 27 of the lever 24, which is insulated as shown,rests upon the insulated member 28. The

member 27 is electrically connected as indicated with the binding post29. also 1n electrical connection with the first disc on the left handside of the carbon pile 5. The member 28 is electrically connected withthe binding post 30 and the first carbon disc on the right hand side ofthe pile 5; therefore, when member 27 is in contact with .member 28 thecarbon pile 5 is short-circuited with reference to the binding posts 29and 30. The lower extremity of the core 20 is connected with a piston 31of any suitable dash-pot. in this instance shown as an air dash-pot,having a cylinder 32 and vent 33. A slight play is allowedin theadjustment between the core or plunger 20'and the piston 31, whereby theslight angular movement caused by. lever 24 in the usual operation ormovement of'the-core 20 is prevented from causing the piston to jam inthe cylinder.

In Fig. 3, the device shown is substan tially the same as that shown inFigs. 1 and 2, with the exception that thetoggle-joint formed by themembers 12 and 14 has its outermost extremities attached to levers 9instead of having one end fixed as was the case in Figs. 1 and 2, andthe core 20 has its uppermost end held in proper relation to thesolenoid 21 by guide rollers 34 engaging the post 19. as are moreplainly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The post 19 is provided in thisstructure with a pin 35, while the member- 24 is perforated so as toallow the post to pass therethrough until the said pin engages themember 24, and thus the core'20 may have a certain vertical movementbefore performing any function or meeting any resistance due to theoperation of lever 24; then further upward movement will move the saidlever and still further movement will cause the end of 19 to engage thesheave 18 and relieve the pressure upon the pile 5 in a manner similarto the structure in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the type of structure shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, I prefer tousesprings drawing downwardly upon the knuckle of the togglejoint andtherefore use an extended pin, which may carry springs 46 upon eitherside thereof as indicated and which may be made adjustable in any mannerdesired.

In Fig. 6, 36 represents a dynamo or generator having its positiveterminal 37 connected through a suitable automatic switch with a storagebattery 38 and with translating devices 39 through a suitabletranslating circuit regulator 40, in this instance indicated as a carbonpile. the resistance of which is controlled by a shunt coil 41 acrossthe translating devices in a well-known manner. The negative terminalsof the translating devices are connected with the negative side of thestorage battery 38 and the generator 36 through wire 42 having in seriestherewith the solenoid 43 forming the winding of one of my regulatorssuch as shown, for example. in Fig. 1. The generator 36 is provided witha shunt coil 53, having in series therewith the pile 5 of one of myregulators controlled by the coil 43, and also in series therewith thepile 5 of a similar regulator controlled by the voltage coil 44 in shuntacross the mains 37 and 42.

An operation of the regulator shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is substantially asfollows:

WVhen the coil 21 is excited, the same tends to lift the core 20smoothly against the action of dash-pot 3132. and when sufiicientdesiredthat the regulator shall come into play and perform a further regulatingfunction; then further excitement of the coil 21 will cause the core 20to rise and the post 19 to strike the sheave 18, When further excitementof the coil 21 will tend to raise the core 20 and, by bending theknuckle of the toggle-joint mechanism, decrease the pressure'upon thepile 5 and increase the resistance thereof. The pressure upon the pile 5may be regulated in considerable degree by adjusting the post 7 tochange the angular relation of the members 12 and 14, when the pile isunder its maximum compression by taking advantage of the wellknownproperties of the toggle-joint. The adjustment of the necessaryexcitation of the coil 21 to cause the same to affect the pile 5materially may be. closely adjusted by proper manipulation of the.spring 16. The and the normal minimum resistance of the regulator shownin Figs. 3, 4 and 5 operpile 5 inserted in the field circuit. If thenates in substantially the same manner as the the current still continueto rise, core 20 will one shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the principal beraised and contact with 18 established, 5 difference being that the core20 may be whereupon further rise in current beyond a 70 raised anappreciable amount, if desired, be predetermined value, which may bedeterfore per orming any regulating function or m ned by adjustment ofthe spring 16 of primary adjustment which may be desired sure upon thepile 5 in such manner as to 75 Figs. 1 and 2 and for the same purpose.ing in response tofiuctuations across coil 44 ("0 Then furtherexcitation of the coil 21 will which is shown across the generatorcircuit, cause the core to be raised and come into but which might beshown across any other contact with the sheave 18 and affect the circuitwhose voltage it is desired to limit. toggle-joint to decrease thepressure upon tend to rise beyond its predeterminded maxi- 20 the pile 5by operating both levers 9 instead mum value, the core 20 of the voltageregu- 5 of the one lever 9 of Figs. 1 and 2. It will, lator will rise,first break1n its respective of course, be obvious that, if desired, thecontact 2728 and placing the minimum repressure upon the pile 5 may beconsiderably sistance of its pile 5 in series with the genmultiplied byproperly choosing the posierator field and then further tendency totionof the fulcra of the levers 9. Theopward rise in volta e will have thesame 90 eration of the system indicated in Fig. 6 is effect upon thevoltage core 20 as current substantially as follows, it being remem:rises have upon the current core 20 and bored that the two regulatingdevices g0"- affect the voltage core 20 and affect the erning thetwocarbon piles are )referably voltage pile 5 to prevent the predeter-30 such pieces of apparatus as descri ed above mined maximum from beingexceeded 95 with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3, in a well-knownmanner. Should the gen- 4 and If the generator be at rest, the eratorslow down, the operation will be sub main switch will be open and thetransstantially the reverse of the above. lating devices 39 may besupplied by the It will be noted with reference to Fig. 6

85 battery 38 and the voltage u on the dethat if one have instockquantities of thc'10o vices may be held substantialy constantdevices or regulating means as shown in through the instrumentality ofthe regulatone form in Figs. 1 and 2 and in another ing dev1ce40responsive to voltage fluctuaform in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, of sufficientditions in the coil 41, as is well understood in mensions for the properdissipation of heat 40 the art. If the generator 36 have its speed inthe piles 5 to make them of sufficient 105 brought up until its voltageis substantially capacity for the types of systems wherein equal to thatof the battery 38,the main switch they may be used and which in trainlight will close in the usual manner and current ing systems, forexample, need not vary by will then flow from the generator 36 throughany great amount, one has simply to place Wire 37; and if the generatorvoltage be upon the regulators the proper coils 21 to 110 suflicient itmay supply current to the batperform the voltage or current regulating'4 tery 38 and translating devices 39, from functions desired and usediscsof proper which return is made through wire 42. havthickness in thepiles 5 for the voltage of ing in series therewith the coil or solenoidthe circuit across which the generator field 43, which is preferablyeither a spool or a winding is placed. This is a highly im- 115mummified coil of coarse'wire wound and portant commercial considerationand one placed as shown at 21 in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.. which theapplicant believes is found only After reaching the critical speed thegenin his structure. erator will buid up very rapidly, as both eshunting of the resistance element of of the resistances 5 in serieswith the field the regulator or regulators notin use. as 120 coil 53 areshunted out by their respective is fully brought out in a practicalillustracont-acts 2728. If the current in the coil tion in Fig. 6, isalso a highly important fea- 43, which in this case is shown as thetotal ture, saving a considerable waste of energy generator current andwhich might be the and having other valuable features. current in anyother circuit, as for example I do not wish in any way to limit myself125 the circuit containing merely the battery 38, to the exactconstruction or details of operatends to increase beyond itspredetermined tion outlined above in describing the emlimit, core 20will be raised against the acbodiments-of my invention, for it will betion of the dash-pot mechanism and the conobvious that wide departuremay be made tact-2728 of the current regulator broken circuit, voltageresponsive means for affecting one of said elements, current responsivemeans for affecting one'of said elements, and means under the controlof' each of said rcsponsive means for rendering its respective elementineffective without affecting the ele ment. v

2. Means for regulating an electric circuit comprehending a plurality ofregulating elements each capable of affecting said circuit, voltageresponsive means'for affecting one of said elements, current responsivemeans for affecting one of said elements, and means under the control ofsaid responsive means for selectively rendering each of the elementsineffective under predetermined conditions.

3. The combination with-a generator, a plurality of regulating elementseach capable of affecting the operation thereof and automatic meansresponsive to different functions of the operation of said generator foroperating said -elements, trolled by said responsive means forselectively rendering'each of said elements ineffective withoutaffecting the elements.

4:- The combination with a generator, a storage battery, and means thegenerator comprehending a plurality of regulating elements, of meansresponsive to functions of the generator operation for affecting each ofsaidelements, said'meaus being affected by the condition of the storagebattery, and means for selectively 1 shortcircuiting each of theregulating elements affected by the operation of the responsive means. ya

5. The combination with a generator, of a regulating element foraffecting the operation thereof, a corethe movement of which affectssaid element, a structure for sup-i portingsaid element and core inoperative relation, a coil supported thereby for affecting saidcore andadapted to respondto fluctuations in the generator current, a likeelement, core and supporting structure having the element in series withthe first named element but having its coil adapted to respond tovoltage fluctuations across the generator, and means operated by each ofsaid coils for rendering their respective regulating tiveupon-fluctuations in current and voltage below that necessary to' affectthe elements.

6. The combination with a generator, a storage battery charged thereby,and a generator field circuit, of a plurality of switches in series insaid circuit and normally tendmechanical means,

of means con-- 'circuiting means may be tuations 111511 for regulatingelements operative and mopera above a certain value,

'fecting the ing to close said circuit, automatic means responsive tovoltage and current fluctuations adapted to selectively open saidswitches and insert resistance in their stead. said responsive meansbeing so arranged that when one of the switches is opened and resistanceinserted in its stead in response to current fluctuations, opening ofanother of said switches and insertion of resistance in its stead inresponse to voltage fluctuations causes the current responsive means towithdraw the resistance and close the switch operated thereby.

7. A regulator for an electric circuit com prehending a regulatingelement, lever mechanism affecting the operation thereof, magnetic meansfor affecting said mechanism, and means operated by said magnetic meansindependently of the lever mechanism for short-circuiting the regulator,whereby the short-circuiting device may be operate without affecting thelever mechanism. 7 '8. Aregulator comprehending a regulating element,the effect of which riations in pressure thereupon, mech means forexerting pressure thereupon, trically operated means for affecting saidand means for short-circuiting the regulating means operated by theelectrical means independently of the pressure varying mechanism wherebythe shortoperated upon flucfficient to affect said element. ,9. Meansfor regulating an electric circuit comprehending a plurality ofregulating units capable of affecting said circuit, responsive means foraffecting one of said units, independent responsive means for affectinganother of. said elements, and means under the control of each of saidresponsive amcal means for selectively cutting out its respectiveregulating unit while another regulating unit is operative to therebyaffect the circuit in cooperation with the operative unit.

10. An electric system comprehending a plurality of regulating units foraffecting the operation 0 the system, a plurality of responsive meansfor operating said units combined \with means whereby one operating unitis rendered inoperative while another unit is operating by the effect ofthe last named unit upon the system, which effect affects the responsivemeans governing the inoperative unit while said unit is inoperative.

11,. The combination with 'a generator, a regulating element foraffecting the opera tion thereof, vmeans for affecting said element inresponse to voltage fluctuations a second element af operation of thegenerator, and means for affecting said second element in response tocurrent fluctuations above a certain value, of means operated bytheresponis varied by Va llJO sive means to render the elements effectiveand ineffective in response to fluctuations below said above mentionedelement-affecting values.

12. The combination with a generator, a regulating element for affectingthe operation thereof, means for affecting said element in response tovoltage fluctuations above a certain value, a second element affectingthe operation of the generator, and means for affecting said secondelement in response to current fluctuatitons above a certain value, ofmeans operated by the responsive means to render the elements effectiveand ineffective in response to certain fluctuations predeterminedamounts less than the above mentioned element-affecting values.

13. The combination with a generator, a regulating element for affectingthe operation. thereof, means for affecting said element in response tocertain fluctuations above a predetermined value, a. second elementaffecting the operation of the generator, and means for affecting saidsecond element in response to other fluctuations above a predeterminedvalue, of means for rendering the elements effective and ineffectiveupon certain fluctuations differing predetermined amounts from the abovementioned elementaffecting values.

14. The combination with a generator, a regulating element for affectingthe operation thereof, means for affecting said element in response tocertain fluctuations above a predetermined value, a second elementaffecting the operation of the generator, and means for affecting saidsecond element in response to other fluctuations above a predeterminedvalue, of means for rendering the elements effective and ineffective inresponse to certain fluctuations differing predetermined amounts fromthe above mentioned element-affecting values, and means for adjustingthe differences between the values of fluctuations necessary to operatethe said effective and ineffective rendering means and the elementaffectin means) JOHN I, CR VELING.

